Safety harnesses can cause suspension trauma, a set of injuries caused by a fall, due to the force of the fall and orthostatic intolerance. Safety measures include close monitoring, clear fall policies, and training for workers to respond to falls.
Suspension trauma is a set of injuries caused by a fall into a safety harness. Safety harnesses save lives by preventing serious injuries that can occur when people fall from great heights, but suspension trauma can be dangerous if not addressed. Safety training for workers using harnesses should include a response plan to address suspension trauma concerns by quickly rescuing workers after falls.
Several issues contribute to suspension trauma. The first is the force of the fall, which can be severe if the worker is stuck in a long line. Many workers prefer long security lines because they can move more freely, rather than constantly having to reconnect to move around a site. The length of the line, however, can make falls much more dangerous. Workers must balance the risks of suspension trauma and other injuries in the event of a fall with their desire to move as freely as possible in the workplace.
Another problem is a condition known as orthostatic intolerance. Safety harnesses are typically designed to allow a worker to fall into a standing position, feet down. Blood will begin to pool in your legs, and harness straps can cut off circulation, especially if they don’t fit properly. This slows the return of blood to the heart and can be fatal within half an hour if the worker is not brought down.
The risks of suspension trauma do not end with the careful safety of a worker. After an extended period of standing, if the worker is placed on their back for treatment, blood can back up into the torso, causing reflux syndrome. In this condition, the rapid reperfusion of blood damages tissues within the patient’s body. This can be dangerous, especially if the patient has been suspended for a long time.
Safety measures to address suspension trauma can include close monitoring of workers connected to safety harnesses at all times to allow personnel to quickly identify falls. Construction sites also need clear and easy-to-follow fall policies so they can act quickly and everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of an emergency. A safety officer at a workplace can develop an appropriate fall management plan and should provide training to on-site personnel. Workers wearing harnesses also need to be trained to respond to falls; simple measures such as shifting weight into the harness while suspended after a fall can reduce the risk of serious complications.
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